Residential Plumbing - Finding the Toilet That is Best For You

After years of "making do," you've finally decided to remodel your bathroom. You've selected the colors, the sink, the tub, the floor, the tiles, the mirror, and even the towel racks. But what about the toilet? Never had you imagined that there would be so many choices and decisions to make: the size, the shape of the bowl, the flushing mechanism, just to name a few.

Here are some basic considerations to keep in mind when conducting your search, even before you find a plumber for the job:

1. Size. Toilets come in different lengths, widths and heights, and your main consideration should be to ensure that the size of the toilet and the space available for it allow for a comfortable fit. In addition, it is necessary to mount most toilets 12-14 inches from the wall. These measurements must be accounted for.

2. Shape of the bowl. Bowls can be purchased in either a round or elongated (oval) style. Elongated bowls are generally about two inches longer than round bowls, allowing for maximum comfort. Round bowls are smaller and thus, are better suited for smaller spaces. In addition the many varieties of toilet seats on the market today generally are made to fit round bowls, so with a round bowl it may be easier to match the decor in your bathroom.

3. Flushing mechanism. With regard to flushing, in the U.S. today, two standard flush systems are generally available: (i) the "gravity-flush system," in which the pressure of the water in the tank, together with the weight of the water in the bowl, forces water and waste through the trapway, where a siphoning action completes the flush, and (ii) the "pressure-assisted flush system, " in which a cylinder of compressed air in the tank forces water into the bowl. The "pressure-assisted flush system" provides for a stronger flush and less chance of clogging, but is generally more expensive and noisier than a "gravity-flush system, and may require expensive maintenance. You may also want to consider a "dual flush toilet," which offers a low volume (half) flush for liquid waste and a full volume flush for solid waste. While this type of toilet is more expensive, and the instillation a bit more complicated, the cost savings (and benefit to the environment) are enormous.

4. Trapway. The trapway is the snakelike plumbing through which waste and water flows. Larger and glazed trapways allow for more efficient flushing and decrease the incidence of clogging.

5. Pieces. A two-piece toilet is one in which the water tank is bolted on top of a separate bowl, and is generally somewhat more affordable. Talk to an experienced plumber about your options here. A one-piece toilet is one in which the tank and bowl are integrated without a seam, and tends to be more expensive, but is generally more stylish, smaller and easier to clean.

6. Attachment. Determining how the toilet shall be attached (whether bolted to the floor or mounted to the wall) simply depends on the plumbing in your bathroom. If you have a wall-discharge drain line (the pipe that takes waste and water from your toilet to the septic tank or sewer line) you will need a wall-mounted toilet. A floor-discharge drain line, requires a floor-bolted toilet.